A small number of cattle farmers are experiencing frothing of slurry in slatted tanks and one Co Meath farmer had an explosion over his slats after the gas – presumed to be methane – came alight.

According to Teagasc, frothing of slurry due to vigorous microbial activity has been regularly reported from other countries where conditions are warmer, allowing methane-producing bacteria to thrive.

It occurs on pig farms in the USA and caused an explosion in a cattle shed in Germany last year. However, the lower temperatures here are believed to make such microbial activity limited.

The fire incident happened on the farm of beef finishers Donal and Thomas Hartford. They have experienced frothing in slatted tanks in one shed for some years.

The froth periodically comes up through the slats, “like the head on a pint of Guinness”, Donal said.

Last September, the Hartfords called in a welder to repair some barriers in the shed. But immediately the man struck an electric arc, flames erupted, rising six feet high and lasting for a minute. The flames scorched slat mats and the lead on the welder. There were no cattle present.

The Hartfords regularly pour a few litres of vegetable oil or similar product into the tank to disperse the froth.

A similar explosion occurred in a shed in Sligo some years ago when an angle grinder was used. Frothing of slurry has also occurred recently on a farm in Northern Ireland and one in Laois.

Any other farmer experiencing the phenomenon is asked to pass details on to their local Teagasc office.